Stuart Binny 200th player to debut for India in ODIs

All-rounder Stuart Binny has become the 200th player to debut for India as they play third fourth One-Day International against New Zealand at Hamilton on Tuesday. Binny replaced Suresh Raina in the playing XI.

Binny was selected for the New Zealand tour on the back of some impressive performances in the Ranji Trophy 2013-14. At the toss MS Dhoni said that Binny’s selection gives them an additional bowling option along with a strong batsman lower down the order. The last player to debut for India in the 50-over format was Mohit Sharma during the tour to Zimbabwe in 2013. In fact the series against Zimbabwe saw as many as four debutants, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ambati Rayudu amd Jaydev Unadkat were the other three.

Binny’s selection wasn’t the only change of strategy by Dhoni. He brought in Ambati Rayudu for Shikhar Dhawan who struggled to make his starts count and opted for Virat Kohli as the opener alongside Rohit Sharma. Winning the toss for the fourth time in a row, Dhoni this time chose to bat.